From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
Over 850 school girls drawn from St. loius Secondary School, Bomapai and Government Girls Arabic Secondary School, Goron Dutse, all in Kano State, were between Tuesday and Wednesday sensitized and empowered morally and intellectually by Rotary District 9125, as part of events to mark the International Day of the Girl.
The programme spearheaded by the Empowering Girls Initiative Committee of Rotary District 9125, was massively supported by all the Rotary Clubs in Kano Zone 3.
The two-day event with the theme: “Our Time Is Now—-Our Right, Our Future,” commenced at the premises of St. Loius Secondary School on Tuesday, and was wrapped up at Government Girls Arabic Secondary School, on Wednesday.
At the two schools, lectures were held where the girls were tutored on menstrual and personal hygiene. Items, such as sanitary pads, panties, among others were also distributed to the girls to maintain hygiene and good health during menstruation.
In his opening remarks, the District Governor-elect, Alhaji Sagab Ahmed, welcomed all the guests and participants, including the partners that helped in making the programme a huge success.
He further gave a rundown on the relevance of the girl-child education and emancipation in the society, adding that the reason for celebrating the International Day for the Girl was to re-emphasize the need to protect the interest and promote the welfare of the girl-child, particularly in the area of education, moral upliftment and economic empowerment.
He described the event as very important and of great essence to the girls and urged them to make good use of the knowledge they acquired from the resource persons.
According to him, “we commemorate the 10th anniversary of the International Day of the Girl (IDG). In these last 10 years, there has been increased attention on issues that matter to girls amongst governments, policymakers and the general public, and more opportunities for girls to have their voices heard on the global stage.
“Yet, investments in girls’ rights remain limited and girls continue to confront a myriad of challenges to fulfilling their potential; made worse by several issues including Period poverty.
“To show commitment to addressing some of the unprecedented challenges being faced by girls with special emphasis on Period poverty and lack of education on menstrual and personal hygiene management, Rotary District (9125) committee on Empowering Girls Initiative (EGI) – Zone 3 (Kano) is collaborating with all Rotary Clubs in Kano (Rotary clubs of Kano, Bompai, Nassarawa, Kano Dala Sunrise, Fagge and Sabon Gari).
“All Rotaract Clubs in Kano (Rotaract Clubs of Fagge, Bompai, Kano Community-based, Kano Dala Sunrise and B.U.K ) and four other Non-Governmental organization namely Women Health Empowerment and Emancipation Initiative , YES Concepts, Kerojet services and Green Earth Consulting Company to organize a sensitisation session on menstrual health and hygiene management for over 850 girls across two schools (private and Government) in Kano state.”
However, though the programme had targeted 500 girls for both schools, but it eventually captured over 850 girls who were equipped, with education, on menstrual and personal hygiene management. Sanitary pads, panties and branded exercise books were also distributed to the girls.
The key note speakers were Assistant Governor, Esther Ahmed who spoke extensively on the importance of Girl Child Education, Engr. (Dr.) Harriet Chiemezie who gave a motivational talk on Career development, Rotn. Rosemary iorzua who talked extensively on menstrual health and hygiene management. The programme facilitators for St. Loius Secondary School were Rotn. Adaora Ezike and IPADRR Mustapha Ibrahim Olamilekan.
Facilitators were IPADRR Mustapha Ibrahim, IPP Mustapha Sani and Rotaractor Halima Sansa.
Delivering her keynote address at the Government Girls Arabic Secondary School,
Dr. Maryam Aliyu Nasir, the H.O.D Anatomy department, Yusuf Sule Maitama University, Kano, spoke extensively on Menstrual Health & Hygiene and also threw more light on breast cancer awareness.
Among those who attended the programme include the Founder of Save a life Cancer awareness and support network and members of the organisation who added colour to the event.
